Author: ECCYC

Refugee mural defaced with 2 stars of David in Highland Park, NJ – New Jersey 101.5 FM

HIGHLAND PARK — Borough police have launched an investigation after xenophobic graffiti was spray-painted onto a new mural celebrating local refugee and asylum resettlement efforts in Highland Park.

The Highland Park Police Department said it was actively investigating two incidents of criminal mischief to the mural on the side of 75 Raritan Avenue, which had been completed less than two days earlier.

It was commissioned by The Shelter Project, a team that includes faculty from Rutgers University and New Brunswick Theological Seminary.

“During the course of the mural installation over the past two weeks, the artist was directly racially harassed on three distinct occasions, and for the first time in her career felt in danger while installing a work of art,” according to coLAB Arts, the artist collective that helped support the artwork.

“Home is Where We Make It” had been up for less than 48 hours when “USA” was found spray painted across the face of a woman wearing a hijab on Friday morning, according to coLAB Arts Producing Director Dan Swern.

Sometime between 7 — 10 p.m. Friday, two Stars of David were also spray-painted across the same woman’s face, he said.

During the installation, the artist herself experienced repeated racial harassment, including being called a racist and nazi “by individuals demanding white representation in the mural,’ Swern continued.

Highland Park mural, before defacement (via Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler, Facebook)


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An interfaith vigil was set for Monday evening at 7 p.m. to denounce “this deplorable act, to express support for our Muslim and refugee neighbors (and all for whom this act is public terrorism),” the collective continued, “and to grapple with meaningful, antiracist commitments we can make moving forward.”

The Raritan Valley Orthodox Jewish Community Association, Reformed Church of Highland Park, Masjid-e-Ali Mosque, Unitarian Society of East Brunswick, Black Community Watchline and Middlesex Black-Jewish Coalition were among those planning to join Monday’s vigil.

Local police have been in contact with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office regarding the defacement.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Highland Park Police Department at 732-572-3800, including any surveillance camera footage or images.

Potential tips also could be emailed to detectives@hpboro.com

“Highland Park is a diverse community of approximately 15,000 residents whose ancestral roots can be traced to a myriad of countries throughout the world,” Highland Park Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler said in a Facebook post welcoming the mural on April 27, before the graffiti was discovered.

“Our varying ethnicities, religions and cultures are woven into the very fabric of our community and can be easily identified by the many different foods found in restaurants throughout our downtown and in the public art that adorns some of our buildings, private home front lawns, and street benches,” Mittler also said.

“Just as so many of our ancestors fled persecution and poverty and came to the United States because of what this country represents, so too do the current waves of refugees – from the Middle East, from Africa, and other places, take risks to get here,” the mayor continued. “They have come here because of what this country represents to the world – things like freedom, second chances, an openness to diversity, and the rewards of hard work. And, they chose to settle in Highland Park because of who we are as a community. We should all be proud of that.”

Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

Voting for the 2022 class of the New Jersey Hall of Fame

These are the nominees for the 2022 class of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. They come from all walks of live, spanning generations back to the colonial era. The nominees cover the categories of Arts & Letters, Enterprise, Performing Arts & Entertainment, Public Service and Sports.

How the world saw New Jersey — 1940s to 1980s

This is how New Jersey saw the world from 1940-to 1980. All these photos are from AP and Getty publications, meaning they were used in a magazine or newspaper. There has been plenty of inventions and history made in New Jersey. Check the photos below.

New Jersey’s new legislative districts for the 2020s

Boundaries for the 40 legislative districts for the Senate and Assembly elections of 2023 through 2029, and perhaps 2031, were approved in a bipartisan vote of the Apportionment Commission on Feb. 18, 2022. The map continues to favor Democrats, though Republicans say it gives them a chance to win the majority.

LOOK: Food history from the year you were born

From product innovations to major recalls, Stacker researched what happened in food history every year since 1921, according to news and government sources.

New Jersey’s smallest towns by population

New Jersey’s least populated municipalities, according to the 2020 Census. This list excludes Pine Valley, which would have been the third-smallest with 21 residents but voted to merge into Pine Hill at the start of 2022.

The Montclair Foundation Awards $54,500 in Grants to 10 Local Nonprofits – Baristanet

Montclair, NJ – The Montclair Foundation (TMF) has awarded $54,500 to 10 area nonprofit organizations for projects or programs that benefit Montclair residents and neighboring communities. Grants were awarded to support programs in human services, arts, youth education, and senior services.

Montclair and its environs are home to so many dedicated community organizations which work every day to create opportunities for our residents and support the fabric of our diverse neighborhoods.

“Every one of these causes is remarkable. We hope these grant awards will advance equity, improve education, help with food insecurity and create a healthy, vibrant community for years to come,” stated Peggy Murphy Deehan, The Montclair Foundation Grants Committee Chair.

Grants were awarded to the following nonprofit organizations:

Connections at Home– Funding will support homebound Seniors in Montclair. This includes paying for their tech support, internet connectivity, senior-friendly software, and tablet subscription, as well as ongoing tech training, and regular interaction with social workers. https://cahnj.org/

COPE Center– Funding for general support of counseling services and education on behalf of families in Montclair. COPE Center – Oaks Integrated Care (oaksintcare.org)

Family Promise of Essex County-General operating support for local families who are experiencing homelessness, financial crisis, or need ongoing support to help families maintain their housing stability and increase self-sufficiency.www.fpessexnj.org

Human Needs Food Pantry-General operating support to purchase protein for their constituents. The cost of protein accounts for 28% of their total food budget. www.humanneedsfoodpantry.org

Jazz House Kids Inc.– Funding will underwrite three Jazz Explorers presentations at the Family Jazz Discovery Zone during the 2022 Jazz Festival. Participants will learn about the Black musical heritage from which jazz sprung and its multicultural roots celebrated around the world today. www.jazzhousekids.org

Montclair Historical Society-Funding will offset the costs of completing the planning phase of an ADA site plan. The site plan will serve as a blueprint to allow for more efficient circulation, parking, lighting, and building access for all visitors regardless of physical ability. www.montclairhistory.org

Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center, Inc.-Funding to purchase updated furniture for their pre-k classrooms. www.neighborhoodchildcare.net

Northeast Earth Coalition, Inc.-Funding for general operating support to expand its programs such as the Free Little Pantries, community gardens, and delivery of food. www.neearth.org


Pushcart Players-Funding for professional theater performances in Montclair elementary schools. Performances address social studies, literature, history, the autism spectrum, special educational needs, and values clarification for young people, their families, and their educators. www.pushcartplayers.org

Succeed2gether-Funding for general operating support of their tutoring and mentoring programs.
www.succeed2gether.org.

Vanguard Theater Company-Funding support for their Broadway on Bloomfield series. www.vanguardtheatercompany.org

The Montclair Foundation has awarded more than $2.8 million to over 100 local nonprofits. The Foundation would like to remind grant seekers that the deadline for fall grant opportunities is Tuesday, September 13, 2022. The grant portal will open to applicants on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.

Click here to sign up for Baristanet’s free daily emails and news alerts.

Newark 2022 Mayor Election: Baraka vs. Montague (What To Know) – Patch

NEWARK, NJ — Newark mayor Ras Baraka will face a challenge from Sheila Montague as part of the 2022 municipal election. Learn more about each candidate below.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10. The last day to register or transfer to vote in the Newark municipal nonpartisan election was April 19. The last day to apply for by mail for a vote-by-mail ballot is May 3.

The Essex County Board of Elections offers more information about voting in Newark and the county here, including locations of the nearest ballot box and local polling places. See sample ballots here. Learn more about voting in New Jersey here.

Find out what’s happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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MEET THE CHALLENGER: SHEILA MONTAGUE

Find out what’s happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Montague is a lifelong resident of Newark, who is a professor at Essex County College and a veteran teacher of 20 years in the Newark Public School system. She is a graduate of Kean University with a major in secondary education and a minor in African American studies, and holds a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Seton Hall University.

Montague’s campaign website offers more details about her background and qualifications:

“Sheila has experience working with Newark Public Schools students at the elementary and high school level. Her numerous honors and awards include The National Honor Roll of Outstanding American Teachers, a decorated record as a debate and basketball coach with a decade of championships, debate tournament victories among others. In 2009-2010, Sheila was the first place winner in an Elementary School City-wide Film Festival Award for best Middle School film/documentary on the topic of how growing up in an urban district without a dad effected several students. Her dedication and work ethic have opened the door to higher education for countless urban students.”

In addition:

“Sheila is a published author of poetry and founder of community-based organizations, Changing the Lens Together (CTLT) and Face Structure, which hosted The First Teen Hip Hop Competition in 2010 where teens across the city performed original pieces grounded in historical messages and political issues. Sheila has a passion for community outreach and supports many community-driven initiatives including collaboration with neighborhood churches and other organizations that share common goals of community- building and -uplifting. Sheila is also an active founding member of Parents United for Local School Education (PULSE), an active member of People’s Organization for Progress (POP), a member of The National NAACP and a certified notary public of New Jersey.”

Montague provided Patch with a summary about her campaign platform, which revolves around three key issues: education, public safety and affordable housing.

EDUCATION

Montague said she intends to tackle the “penalty of poverty” that public schools in the city have faced for “far too long.”

Montague said her plans for education include:

  • Ensuring that the Constitutional Right for an Equal and Quality Education is upheld throughout our city, by promoting for the sharing of best practices of the highest performing schools, which will ensure the health and development of all public schools.
  • More accountability on the local school board to ensure the full funding formula per the Supreme Court is returned and those funds reach the classroom first.
  • Supporting true engagement of the local community of parents, and providing them with a greater voice in the process of how their children are educated and how funding is disseminated for their children’s education.
  • Restoring a healthy teacher, union, administration, and state relationship, in order to create an environment wherein we are able to hear what support our teachers are lacking in our public school system.
  • Promoting for additional funding to extend successful STEM curriculum throughout all grade levels.
  • Increasing access to local community and state colleges for high school students, as well as offering viable vocational programs to students who choose an alternative road to success.

PUBLIC SAFETY

“The neighborhoods in our city have suffered under the perils of crime for decades,” Montague said. “I am committed to making our neighborhoods better places to live, work, and play by implementing policies that work and enacting those best practices used throughout our country with proven effectiveness.”

Montague said it’s important to take a “comprehensive approach” to public safety, including addressing poverty, unemployment and education.

Meanwhile, she plans to follow a formula of community policing, prevention, engagement and enforcement. That includes:

Community Policing – “With swift and accurate planning, we intend to reorganize the patrol plan, with the goal of active community policing in each precinct throughout the city by the year 2024. Each precinct will be divided into three or four staffed segments, with officers strategically assigned to permanent posts within the community. These officers will take responsibility for their respective areas, which increases familiarity with neighbors, business owners, and clergy. The idea of having officers take ownership of their area affords a feeling of belonging on both sides – community and law enforcement. Patrol along with Coordination Officers, provide a full range of services, including a blackout period from radio service, assigning a time dedicated specifically to community engagement. Coordination Officers will have the responsibility of attending community meetings in an effort to understand the residents, as well as the problems. This practice guarantees our officers the opportunity to recognize dangers and take the necessary action for prevention.”

Prevention – “We must, as an entire community, improve how we identify those most at-risk of committing crimes and implement a multi-level intervention. 1) Understanding as leadership we will demand improvement of the public and adult Education systems, as this is the most efficient anti-crime action, along with school-based programs for at-risk youth; and 2) Recognizing that Newark’s Unemployment Rate of 8.2% is nearly double the State (5.1%) and more than double the National (3.8%) average and this tragedy is in direct correlation to the increase of crime in our community, getting our residents back to work will be the top priority.”

Engagement – “We must create an authentic relationship between local government, law enforcement, and residents in our neighborhoods. We will influence an active partnership in public safety via giving leaders in our community a legitimate seat at the table and allowing those leaders to help design and implement policies, per ward, which will promote greater trust and investment in safer neighborhoods.”

Enforcement – “While Prevention and Engagement are paramount tools in ensuring public safety, it is our responsibility to prosecute those who commit reckless and life-threatening crimes. Working with prosecutors and police, we will send the unmitigated message that if you commit a crime in our city and/or carry illegal weapons, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

“Real Newarkers are being priced out of the city,” Montague said.

“Affordable Housing is swiftly becoming a thing of the past and families are finding themselves with no options,” she continued. “Those fortunate enough to own homes have seen their property taxes increased consistently for four years and families are being locked out of our city.”

According to Montague:

“I intend to create more options for our families. What is being touted as positive development growth in our city, has displaced families through enormous rent increases. As the population of our city grows, so will the problem. The options we create must include low-income families, as well as the middle class we seem to have abandoned. I will create the Newark Housing Agenda (NHA), which will serve as a blueprint for an additional 20,000 to 30,000 low-income housing units over the next 10 years; through developing partnerships at the state, regional and local level, which will be crucial to our success. Targeting for profit and nonprofit developers, social justice organizations, and labor will result in short-term action and long-term success. The NHA will first abolish the City Ordinance recently passed – a document that is adversarial to our residents. We will return preference to Newark residents and abolish any deadlines penalizing the renter. The NHA will continue to promote and engage developers who respect that they are investing in a city that invests in its people. We need to understand the impact of any proposal to build on Newark land, by listening to our communities and neighborhoods and respect the robust input and engagement it takes to fix this complex issue.”

MEET THE INCUMBENT: RAS BARAKA

Baraka, another Newark native, was first elected as mayor in 2014. He was re-elected in 2018, when he captured 77 percent of the vote.

Baraka is running on the Newark Forward slate, which also includes several candidates for the city council. A slate of three candidates backed by Baraka were recently elected to the Newark Board of Education in the April school election.

According to his campaign website, Baraka received a bachelor of arts degree in political science and history from Howard University in Washington D.C. and a master’s degree in education supervision from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City. The former educator is also a published author and spoken word artist.

Baraka’s Meet the Mayor page on the city website touts his “progressive approach to governing” and a “forward-thinking agenda that reduced crime to its lowest levels in five decades, addressed affordability while maintaining steady growth, lowered unemployment, and returned local control of schools after more than two decades.”

Here are some of Baraka’s major accomplishments since taking office, according to his campaign website.

INCREASING JOBS

Convinced Employers to Hire a Specific Number of Newark Residents- “The city’s major corporations, hospitals, colleges and universities are partnering with the City to give unemployed residents training and full-times jobs with living wages.”

Won fight to Get Hundreds of Port Jobs for Newarkers – “Two marches on the Port of Newark with hundreds of residents protesting hiring discrimination led to agreement that Newark residents will be hired at the Port.”

Reduced Unemployment from 12% to 7% – “Mayor Baraka’s job creating initiatives have gained employment for thousands of residents.”

Doubled the Number of Summer Youth Jobs – “Mayor Baraka has made Newark’s summer program a unique mixture of education, workforce development and public safety, offering financial literacy, college and career readiness.”

$15 Minimum Wage – “Instituted a $15 minimum wage for City employees and is a leader in the fight for a $15 minimum wage throughout New Jersey.”

MAKING US SAFER

Lowest Level of Crime in 50 Years – “More than 3000 fewer victims of crimes since 2014. Homicides down 28% since 2016, Robberies down 26%. 517 guns taken off the streets including high powered weapons in 2016.”

Added 500 New Police Officers since 2014 – “By improving Newark’s finances, Mayor Baraka has hired additional police and put them on the streets walking a beat.”

Built Cooperation Between Residents and Police – “Newark is now a national leader in building police/community trust.”

Undocumented Immigrants Protected – “Mayor Baraka made Newark a Sanctuary City.”

Street Teams Reduce Violence and Protect Students – “Street Team members are trained to defuse conflicts and steer young people toward education and employment.”

Cutting Edge Law Enforcement Technology – “Our Police have body and car cams, patrol cars with computers and surveillance cameras accessible by residents.”

IMPROVING EDUCATION

Took Control of Our Schools Back from Governor Christie – “Our Schools are now under the control of Newark parents and residents.”

Newark Street Academy Educates School Dropouts – “The Newark Street Academy helps at-risk youth to complete their high school education and gain employment.”

Centers of Hope in Every Ward – “These centers give residents of all ages access to City services, wellness and enrichment. They offer athletic, arts and culture, education, technology, and recreation programs.”

Community Schools – “The initiative involves parents, community leaders, teachers and administrators in providing students with the academic, social, emotional, and health services needed for success.”

NAN Tech World Academy Teaches Technology Skills – “This partnershjp offers courses in web design, graphic design, digital literacy, networking and more in a neighborhood setting for residents of all ages.”

CREATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Developers Required to Build Housing for Working Families – “New housing must now include 20% affordable units and partner with minority and women Newark contractors.”

Affordable Housing Created for More than 2,500 Families – “Mayor Baraka is ensuring that residents of every neighborhood benefit from the surge in development. The City has programs to help families facing foreclosure to remain in their homes and provide low cost or no cost land and financial grants to help people develop homes for themselves.”

Rent Controls Strengthened – “Landlords looking to raise rents on rent-controlled buildings must now meet a stricter threshold.”

Renters Helped to Become Homeowners – “Several programs enable residents to acquire city-owned property at low cost.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.

New Jersey Civic Information Consortium Announces Nearly One Million In Grants – New Jersey Stage

NEWS | FEATURES | PREVIEWS | EVENTS




originally published: 05/02/2022

New Jersey Civic Information Consortium Announces Nearly One Million In Grants

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) — The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium has announced $990,000 in grants to innovative local news and information programs around the state as part of the organization’s second round of funding.  The recipients include 13 first-time grantees and nine renewals to grantees funded during the Consortium’s initial round last year.

The grants include projects to create a statewide investigative reporting center, a statewide news site to cover the state’s disabled community, and an online Creole language radio program for the Haitian community. Other projects include expanding coverage of neighborhoods across Jersey City and communities of color in South Jersey, and funding a dedicated statewide reporter to cover mental health, particularly in rural communities. 

This round includes the Consortium’s first grants in Hudson, Monmouth and Union Counties, to organizations in Jersey City and New Brunswick, a public high school, and an existing public media organization. 

The grant renewals include an innovative news collaborative in Newark; a Cumberland County program to teach journalism skills to foster children and children of the incarcerated; dedicated hyperlocal sites in Atlantic City, Blairstown, Bloomfield and Trenton; and an online Spanish language radio program focusing on seasonal agricultural workers in South Jersey. 

“In this new round of grants, the Consortium board worked hard to continue finding ways to fund and grow innovative programs across the state,” Consortium Board Chair Christopher J. Daggett said. “The applications we received are testament to the innovative spirit of the New Jersey media community. Budget constraints were the only barriers we had to funding more projects.”

 

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In addition to $1 million given to the Consortium last year during the annual state budget process, New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI), a statewide grantmaking program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, awarded the Consortium a grant of $150,000 to fund four health-focused projects of $35,000 each, which are included in the grants announced today. The remaining $10,000 of the NJHI funds will be used to support training programs offered to grantees by the Consortium. 

“I am particularly excited about the many projects that grow the state’s journalism pipeline in this round of grants,” Consortium Board Vice Chair Therise Edwards said. “By bringing more people into journalism, particularly students, we can diversify the voices of those telling the stories of New Jersey and work to grow the industry for the future.” 

The Consortium is a first-in-the-nation project created in 2018 by the state to focus on growing access to local news and information across New Jersey. The Consortium consists of six Public Research University members – Rutgers, New Jersey Institute of Technology, The College of New Jersey, Montclair State University, Kean University and Rowan University.

Asbury Park Media Collective (Asbury Park/Monmouth County) – To create an incubator for emerging community reporters and local media makers. The work the community reporters produce over the course of the training sessions — including news articles, news broadcasts for radio, news videos and documentary short subjects, podcasts, and social media posts — will be published and disseminated through a website and a network of local media partners. This is the Consortium’s first grant awarded in Monmouth County.

Beyond Expectations, Inc. (Burlington County)* – For continued support of a pilot program teaching students and young adults, ages 14-24, storytelling and media production skills with an emphasis on conducting interviews with professionals, business leaders, educators, etc., and using online gaming techniques for capturing and promoting interview highlights.

Black in Jersey (Statewide) – This grant will support the launch of Black in Jersey as a reliable news and information hub serving New Jersey’s Black communities, and will also provide support for the organization’s first statehouse and local government reporting cohort. 

Blairstown Enhancement Committee (Blairstown/Warren County)* – For continued support of The Ridgeview Echo, a new hyperlocal news site reporting on Blairstown, Frelinghuysen, Hardwick and Knowlton, all Warren County communities with no other dedicated local news sources. 

Bloomfield Information Project (Bloomfield/Essex County)* – For continued support of the Bloomfield Information Project’s community reporter corps pilot program, which will train residents in news gathering, writing, and production, and provide paid reporting assignments that prioritize the information needs of underserved populations in their community.

Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University (Montclair/Essex County) – To launch the NJ News Commons Spanish Translation Service, partnering with the largest Spanish-language and mainstream media outlets in the state to translate statewide news — especially elections-related content and voter information — into Spanish. This project builds on previous pilot work around translating pandemic coverage.

Cranford High School (Cranford/Union County) – To grow the content, readership, and capacity of a fledgling school-wide digital news source by integrating curriculum from varied elective courses and leveraging the expertise of a local college or university. This is the Consortium’s first grant in Union County and to a public high school.

Front Runner New Jersey (South Jersey) – To support Front Runner New Jersey, a new site led by a veteran journalist who seeks to maintain and expand its coverage of the Black and Latinx communities in South Jersey.


 

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Hopeloft, Inc. (Bridgeton/Cumberland County)* – For continued support of Hopeloft, a Cumberland County based group that has created a journalism training program for teens in foster care and the children of incarcerated people to tell the stories of their peers.  This grant is funded in part by support from New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI), a statewide grantmaking program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Lens 15 Media (Statewide) – To launch a news agency that produces accessible, multimedia reports for and about people with disabilities in New Jersey. This grant is funded in part by support from New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI), a statewide grantmaking program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

M.Y.M. Media LLC/Trenton Journal (Trenton/Mercer County)* – For continued support of Trenton Journal, a hyper-local news organization bridging the information gaps and connecting communities in Trenton, New Jersey. The Trenton Journal publishes solutions-based journalism via a newsletter, video, and audio stories.

Movimiento Cosecha (South Jersey)* – For continued support of Radio Cosecha, a statewide online Spanish radio program currently focused on telling the stories of seasonal agricultural workers in South Jersey that has a goal of moving statewide.

Newark News and Story Collaborative (Newark/Essex County)* – For continued support of the Newark News and Story Collaborative, which works with residents, local reporters, and mediamakers to respond to Newark residents’ information needs and concerns. Its lab comprises resident-reporters that produce unique coverage of issues impacting diverse communities in Newark that lack traditional media coverage.

Newark Water Coalition (Newark/Essex County)* – For continued support of the Newark Water Coalition’s oral history project to tell the stories of the advocates who worked to clean up Newark’s drinking water.

New Brunswick Today (New Brunswick/Middlesex County) – To launch an investigative project on the census, focusing on the immigrant and non-English speaking communities in New Brunswick. New Brunswick Today will examine the extent to which those communities may have been undercounted in the most recent census and any resulting implications. The project will analyze the past three census counts to examine the effects of gentrification in the city. This is the Consortium’s first grant in New Brunswick. 

New Jersey Center for Investigative Reporting (Statewide) – To build the New Jersey Center for Investigative Reporting — the “ProPublica of New Jersey” — with the goal of engaging and empowering the public through investigative journalism at the local, county, and state level.

New Jersey YMCA State Alliance (Statewide) – To support an ongoing statewide storytelling project focused on documenting resident perspectives about COVID-19 vaccination. Insights will be incorporated into a digital and print “feature” for local dissemination with resident experiences, recommendations, and best practices for communicating about the vaccine in a community-centered, culturally relevant way.  This grant is funded by New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI), a statewide grantmaking program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Radio Rouj & Ble (East Orange/Essex County) – To deploy an online Haitian community radio organization with its own website, app, and weekly public service announcements, providing information relevant to the more than 23,000 members of the Haitian community in Essex County. Focusing on translating and disseminating reliable information on civics, health, relevant news and education, it will also serve as a voice for the community by creating a platform where community members can address concerns and share experiences.

Saint Peter’s University (Jersey City/Hudson County) – To support Slice of Culture, a group of young BIPOC storytellers who want to bring civic engagement to Jersey City and Hudson County through a series of how-to projects and informational stories targeted to immigrant families and communities of color. Its co-founders are Saint Peter’s University alumni. This is the Consortium’s first grant in Hudson County and Jersey City. 

Stories of Atlantic City (Atlantic City/Atlantic County)* – For continued support to train and pay community members to serve as reporters at local meetings (Executive Council, City Council, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, and the Board of Education). The goal is to provide transparent community access to these critical local meetings and events because traditional journalism methods are not meeting the larger Atlantic City community’s information needs.

Unidad Latina en Acción NJ (Statewide) – To support the Radio Jornalera NJ Communication Project, which brings together the development, production and dissemination of public service announcements from the Jornalero and Domestic Laborer Communicators throughout the state. The Public Service Announcements will be on topics that affect daily life, such as housing rights, workers’ rights, wage theft, health and safety at work, healthy lifestyle, and/or climate change. 

WNET/NJ Spotlight News (Statewide) – To support a new Report for America corps member to expand health coverage by focusing on mental health in underserved communities, at the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic, health inequity, and rural New Jersey.  This grant is funded in part by support from New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI), a statewide grantmaking program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

* All projects marked with an asterisk are first round grant recipients receiving continued funding. 

The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that funds initiatives to benefit the State’s civic life and meet the evolving information needs of New Jersey’s communities. A first-in-the-nation project, the Consortium builds off the foundation laid by public media in the United States, and reimagines how public funding can be used to address the growing problem of news deserts, misinformation, and support more informed communities




Two N.J. super PACs formed to help GOP candidates – New Jersey Globe | New Jersey Politics

In a bid to level the financial playing field in New Jersey elections,  two new super PACs have been launched to support Republican candidates running for local, county and state office.

Longtime Republican strategist Stacy Schuster will serve as executive director of both groups: Strengthen our State and South Jersey Strong.  The two groups intend to play in 2022 and 2023 local and legislative elections in New Jersey.

Strengthen our State will cover Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren counties, while South Jersey Strong will take in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem counties.

Board members of Strengthen our State include: businessman Robert Delcalzo, attorney Brian Heun; and financial management executive Vincent Maffucci.   The South Jersey Strong board includes former Atlantic County GOP Chairman Keith Davis, former Salem County GOP Chair Linda DuBois, and former Voorhees Township Committeeman Mike Friedman.

Davis announced his intention to take a leading role in a South Jersey-based super PAC when he stepped down as county chairman earlier this year.

“Voters are ready to hold accountable the politicians who closed our schools, abandoned our children, shuttered small businesses, and made our state a less affordable place to live,” said Schuster.  “We have exceptional candidates stepping up to run across the state and we’re going to make sure their ideas get the attention they deserve.”

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Daily Edition 05-02-22 – New Jersey Stage

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NJ bald eagle rehab has been a success but manmade threats remain – New Jersey 101.5 FM

From just a single nesting pair in the 1970s and 1980s to more than 220 as of 2021, bald eagles are one of New Jersey’s greatest wildlife management success stories.

That includes an accelerated increase in their numbers in the past decade alone, according to Kathy Clark, supervising zoologist and certified wildlife biologist for the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Endangered & Nongame Species Program.

However, the habitat of these fowl is changing, just as the human contingent of the Garden State continues to evolve.

In the early part of their recovery, most new bald eagle nests were found in rural areas and among farmland, Clark said, especially in South Jersey along the Delaware Bay.

That’s not the case anymore.

“As the population has increased, we are finding them nesting statewide — in fact, they’re in all 21 counties now — and there are more pairs that are nesting in suburban and urban situations,” Clark said.

Living amongst more people can have its advantages for these birds, according to Clark.

“Some of these older trees that make good nest trees are actually in residential areas, so that can actually work out well,” she said.

But there exists a heightened potential for disturbances. These are big specimens, Clark said, but they are vulnerable and need their space, and mostly want to be left alone.

So manmade threats — which make up almost all of the most severe bald eagle dangers, according to Clark — need to be watched and managed as closely as possible.

These include electrocution, vehicle strikes, rodenticides, and lead poisoning.

Not all can be tackled equally easily. For instance, the Division of Fish & Wildlife works with New Jersey’s power companies to install equipment that can reduce electrocution risk.

“Some of the other things are going to take more time to help solve, like outlawing certain kinds of rodenticides because they make their way into other species’ populations,” Clark said.

Know the signs and signals of a bald eagle habitat, Clark said. If they are perched along a lake or other body of water, it’s likely they are hunting … and again, should be left to their own devices.

“Enjoying eagles is a great thing,” she said. “You do want to keep your distance from eagles. If they’re perched in a particular area, it’s because there’s something there that they need.”

Injured bald eagles can and should be reported to the NJDEP hotline, 877-WARN-DEP.

Patrick Lavery is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com

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NJ beach tags guide for summer 2022

We’re coming up on another summer at the Jersey Shore! Before you get lost in the excitement of sunny days on the sand, we’re running down how much seasonal/weekly/daily beach tags will cost you, and the pre-season deals you can still take advantage of!

These are the best hiking spots in New Jersey

A trip to New Jersey doesn’t have to be all about the beach. Our state has some incredible trails, waterfalls, and lakes to enjoy.

From the Pine Barrens to the Appalachian Trail to the hidden gems of New Jersey, you have plenty of options for a great hike. Hiking is such a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature, plus it’s a great workout.

Before you go out on the trails and explore some of our listeners’ suggestions, I have some tips on hiking etiquette from the American Hiking Society.

If you are going downhill and run into an uphill hiker, step to the side and give the uphill hiker space. A hiker going uphill has the right of way unless they stop to catch their breath.

Always stay on the trail, you may see side paths, unless they are marked as an official trail, steer clear of them. By going off-trail you may cause damage to the ecosystems around the trail, the plants, and wildlife that live there.

You also do not want to disturb the wildlife you encounter, just keep your distance from the wildlife and continue hiking.

Bicyclists should yield to hikers and horses. Hikers should also yield to horses, but I’m not sure how many horses you will encounter on the trails in New Jersey.

If you are thinking of bringing your dog on your hike, they should be leashed, and make sure to clean up all pet waste.

Lastly, be mindful of the weather, if the trail is too muddy, it’s probably best to save your hike for another day.

I asked our listeners for their suggestions of the best hiking spots in New Jersey, check out their suggestions:

Every NJ city and town’s municipal tax bill, ranked

A little less than 30 cents of every $1 in property taxes charged in New Jersey support municipal services provided by cities, towns, townships, boroughs and villages. Statewide, the average municipal-only tax bill in 2021 was $2,725, but that varied widely from more than $13,000 in Tavistock to nothing in three townships. In addition to $9.22 billion in municipal purpose taxes, special taxing districts that in some places provide municipal services such as fire protection, garbage collection or economic development levied $323.8 million in 2021.

Will masks rules return to these NJ counties? – New Jersey 101.5 FM

The risk of community transmission of the COVID-19 virus has been raised for more than 1/3 of New Jersey’s counties.

According to the CDC Date Tracker website, eight counties have been moved to having a “medium” risk of contracting coronavirus: Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, and Somerset.

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For months, nearly all New Jersey counties had been listed as having a “low” risk of community spread.

Under previous guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rise is risk level would have triggered recommendations to mask-up in those counties.

However, revised guidelines no longer recommend masking among health people.

The state’s COVID metrics have been steadily rising with the rapid spread of the BA.2 sub-variant.

New Jersey health officials reported another 1,776 new positive tests on Sunday and added one COVID death.

The number of new cases is up more than 150% in a month and nearly 90% off all new cases are attributed to BA.2. The rate of transmission for New Jersey is 1.15. Anything over 1.0 indicates an active spread of the virus.

Despite the rise, there has not been a corresponding increase is reports of severe infection or a spike in hospitalizations.

Fewer than 500 are hospitalized statewide. In January, more than 6,000 infected were occupying a hospital bed.

Gov. Phil Murphy continues to take a wait-and-see posture toward the new infections. He has repeatedly said COVID is something we will need to “learn to live with,” and has not imposed any new restrictions.

Eric Scott is the senior political director and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at eric.scott@townsquaremedia.com

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Voting for the 2022 class of the New Jersey Hall of Fame

These are the nominees for the 2022 class of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. They come from all walks of live, spanning generations back to the colonial era. The nominees cover the categories of Arts & Letters, Enterprise, Performing Arts & Entertainment, Public Service and Sports.

Inside Betty White’s Gorgeous Carmel-by-the-Sea Home

Take a look inside the late Betty White’s peacefully gorgeous Carmel-by-the-Sea home.

Inside Whitney Houston’s $1.6 Million Home & Studio

Take a look at the late Whitney Houston’s longtime home and studio in New Jersey, now for sale.